Coordinating Conjunction Rules

As there are only seven of these words, there are just a few rules for using coordinating conjunctions
correctly:

1. It’s a good idea to use the mnemonic “FANBOYS” to memorize coordinating conjunctions so
you’ll never forget them. They are:
 F = for
 A = and
 N = nor
 B = but
 O = or
 Y = yet
 S = so
2. Coordinating conjunctions always connect phrases, words, and clauses. For example: This
batch of mushroom stew is savory and delicious.
3. Some instructors warn that starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is incorrect.
Mostly, this is because they are attempting to help prevent you from writing fragments rather
than complete sentences; sometimes though, it’s just a personal preference. The fact is, you can
begin sentences with coordinating conjunctions as long as you follow these three rules for doing
so:
 Ensure that the coordinating conjunction is immediately followed by a main clause
 Don’t use coordinating conjunctions to begin all of your sentences. Do so only when it makes
your writing more effective.
 Although commas typically follow coordinating conjunctions used in areas other than the
beginning of a sentence, they should not be used after coordinating conjunctions used to open
sentences unless an interrupter immediately follows.

Examples of Coordinating Conjunctions

In the following examples, the coordinating conjunctions have been italicized for easy identification.

1. You can eat your cake with a spoon or fork.

2. My dog enjoys being bathed but hates getting his nails trimmed.
3. Bill refuses to eat peas, nor will he touch carrots.
4. I hate to waste a drop of gas, for it is very expensive these days.

Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises

The following exercises will help you gain greater understanding about how coordinating
conjunctions work. Choose the best answer to complete each sentence.

1. Would you rather have cheese _____ bologna on your sandwich?

1. For
2. Nor
3. Or
 4. So
Answer: 3. Would you rather have cheese or bologna on your sandwich?

2. His two favorite sports are football ______ tennis.

1. Or
2. And
3. Nor
4. For
Answer: 2. His two favorite sports are football and tennis.

3. I wanted to go to the beach, _______ Mary refused.

1. But
2. Or
3. So
4. For
Answer: 1. I wanted to go to the beach, but Mary refused.

4. I am allergic to cats, ______ I have three of them.

1. Or
2. For
3. Yet
4. So
Answer: 3. I am allergic to cats, yet I have three of them.

5. I am a vegetarian, _______ I don’t eat any meat.

1. So
2. Yet
3. Nor
4. But
Answer: 1. I am a vegetarian, so I don’t eat any meat.

Coordinating Conjunctions List

Remember, there are only seven coordinating conjunctions. This list contains all of them.

 For
 And
 Nor
 But
 Or
 Yet
 So
Coordinating Conjunctions Exercises
1. Thomas will be late to work, _____ he has a dental appointment.
A. but
B. or
C. for
D. nor

2. Jennifer does not like to swim, ____ does she enjoy cycling.
A. and
B. or
C. but
D. nor

3. Jackson wanted to eat another piece of cake, ____ he was on a diet.

A. for
B. but
C. yet
D. so

Answer Key:
1 – C. Thomas will be late to work, for he has a dental appointment
2 – D. Jennifer does not like to swim, nor does she enjoy cycling.
3 – B. Jackson wanted to eat another piece of cake, but he was on a diet.

Coordinating conjunctions are the most popular category of conjunctions. Simply put, they bring
ideas together. They can join words, phrases, and clauses.
These words tend to be small, including words like “and,” “so,” “for,” and “but.” However, they
serve a very large function. They connect sweeping ideas together, forming cohesive, comprehensive
ideas.
No longer is there a need to write in short, choppy sentences. Coordinating conjunctions are
here to save the day.

The Coordinating Conjunctions

The English language has seven coordinating conjunctions, and they’re easy to remember if
you can just remember the acronym FANBOYS:
 For - Explains reason or purpose (just like “because”)
I go to the park every Sunday, for I long to see his face.
 And - Adds one thing to another
I like to read, and I write faithfully in my journal every night.
 Nor - Used to present an alternative negative idea to an already stated negative idea
I neither love nor hate to watch TV.
 But - Shows contrast
Television is a wonderful escape, but it interferes with my writing.
 Or - Presents an alternative or a choice
Would you rather read a book or watch a good TV show?
 Yet - Introduces a contrasting idea that follows the preceding idea logically (similar to “but”)
I always take a book to the beach, yet I never seem to turn a single page.
 So - Indicates effect, result or consequence
I like to read, so my grammar is always on-point.

Using Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions

You’ll notice that, in the example sentences, some of the coordinating conjunctions are
preceded by a comma while others are not. There is a very simple reason for this.
If a coordinating conjunction is joining together two independent clauses, it needs to have a
comma with it. Independent clauses have the ability to stand alone as complete sentences.
Let’s review the example for “but.” Television is a wonderful escape, but it interferes with my
writing. Because these are two independent clauses, they must be joined together by a
comma and a coordinating conjunction. If you’re really looking to get fancy, here are 8 times
commas were important.

Can You Begin a Sentence with a Coordinating

Conjunction?
Another misconception is that it’s incorrect to begin a sentence with a coordinating
conjunction. While this is a good rule of thumb, it’s not a hard and fast rule of grammar.
You might want to limit how often you begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction, but
it’s not incorrect to do so, especially if it’ll break up a particularly long sentence into more
understandable chunks.

Quality and Complexity

Coordinating conjunctions are the simplest of all the conjunctions to recognize and master. Knowing
how they work will improve the quality and complexity of your writing. So, if that’s what you’re
after, consider yourself fully equipped! And, while you’re on such a winning streak, feel free to
explore the two other types of conjunctions:
 Subordinating conjunctions
 Correlative conjunctions